How To: Origami Penguin

Learn how to create an origami penguin with a piece of 5x5 inch paper!

This project is for everyone with working hands! The materials are cheap, the project is easy to make, and the process makes for a fun time. Those experienced in origami may prefer written instruction, through the provided step-by-step, while others may find the video tutorial most helpful.

Materials (standard):

1 square piece of 5x5 inch black and white origami paper

1 set of stick-on googly eyes

Materials (optional):

Construction paper (optional)

Ruler

Pencil

Scissors

Tape

Note: Participants may be susceptible to receiving paper cuts. Beware!

Teacher Notes

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Step 1: Corner to Corner (Right Side)

Grab the top right corner of the squared piece of paper and fold it to the bottom left corner.

It should look like a triangular paper football. Unfold to original state.

Step 2: Corner to Corner (Left Side)

Do the same for the top left corner, and fold it down to the bottom right.

Unfold to original state.

The creases of the unfolded square piece of paper should resemble an “x,” forming four small triangles.

Step 3: Wing Detail (Right Side)

Turn the square piece of paper so that it is a diamond.

A corner should point toward you.

The white side should still be facing up.

Step 4: Wing Detail (Left Side)

Take the right corner and fold into center of paper.

The point of the corner will meet the perpendicular crease formed by the previous folds.

Continue by taking the same point and folding it back over itself so that it touches the edge of the prior fold.

Step 5: Far-Crease Fold (Right Side)

Do the same for the left corner of the diamond.

Step 6: Far-Crease Fold (Left Side)

Unfold all folds so that just a white diamond remains.

Two vertical creases will intersect the primary horizontal crease on the left and right side corners.

Step 7: Wing Fold (Right Side)

Take left corner of diamond and fold it to outermost vertical crease on the right side.

Unfold back to a diamond.

Step 8: Wing Fold (Left Side)

Do the same for the right corner.

Unfold. An additional crease is added on each side of the vertical center crease line.

Step 9: Tail Fold

Take right corner of the diamond and fold roughly ¾ of the way down the diamond so that its side runs along the vertical line just right of the “center line” crease.

The fold will be in the shape of a larger triangle. The excess space beneath it, on the bottom right, should form a smaller triangle.

Step 10: "Airplane" Fold

Do the same for the left side.

The folds will make wings and should make the paper look like a spacecraft.

Step 11: Head Fold

The “airplane” is positioned so that the narrow-most end is facing upward. The open side of the “airplane” should be facing to the right.

Take the narrow-most end of the paper and fold it slightly down and to the left (roughly ⅓ of the way down the paper). The tip should extend out to the left, looking like a head. Unfold the head back to a shape of a spacecraft.

Step 12: "Hood" Fold

Flip the paper so that the white side is facing up with its black wings.

Fold “spacecraft” as if to make it into an “airplane” again but this time fold the head ⅓ of an inch, over the other folds and edges like the hood of a coat.

Step 13: Beak Fold (Part 1)

Unfold back to the shape of a “spacecraft”, with the white side of the paper should be showing with its black wings facing upward.

Take the tip of the head and fold it down to the bottom of the diagonal creases created from the folding over of the hood.

Step 14: Beak Fold (Part 2)

Take the tip once more and fold back over itself so that roughly ¼ of an inch remains between the crease of the fold and the edge of the prior fold.

Push the beak in slightly, refold the paper into the shape of an “airplane,” and fold the head over the body like a hood once more

Step 15: Googly Eyes

Add googly eyes to your penguin so that he can see how well you folded him.